Karnataka to stop industries from using fresh river water

Karnataka plans to regulate fresh water use by industries. (Picture courtesy: India Spend)

Karnataka to formulate plan to prohibit industries from drawing fresh river water

The Karnataka government is soon expected to formulate a plan to prevent industries from using fresh water drawn from rivers and instead focus on utilising recycled water for various industrial processes. For this, the government plans to create a 100-km-long network of recycled water for industrial use along 10 cities with municipal corporations.

NGT issues notice to Gujarat regarding destruction of mangroves

Following a plea filed by the Kachchh Camel Breeders Association which claimed that the mangroves in the district were being cleared by Deendayal Port Trust, the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Union MoEFCC, Gujarat State Coastal Zone Management Authority and the state forest department seeking an explanation. Destructive actions of the Port Trust has resulted in habitat loss of the indigenous Kharai camels in addition to threatening lives of villagers dependent on the mangroves.

Varied interpretation of the Supreme Court’s Cauvery order causes confusion

While Tamil Nadu holds that the Centre has no option but to establish the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, Karnataka holds that there is no mention of the river management board in the Supreme Court order which mentions "only a scheme". This was discussed at the meeting of the chief secretaries of the Cauvery basin states called by the Union Ministry of Water Resources which saw Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Centre finally agreeing to formulate a ‘scheme’ to execute the SC order.

Groundwork for Pune's Mula-Mutha riverfront development project expected to start this May

The groundwork for the ambitious Mula-Mutha riverfront development project, that will cover 44 km of the Mula and Mutha rivers in Pune, is expected to start this May. While the project looks to improve the greenery along the river, there is no mention of any real estate development. Many environmental activists have opposed the manner in which the project has been conceived and have termed it ‘anti-environment’.

With a notoriously scorching summer looming ahead, officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) have chalked out a contingency plan to manage the city’s drinking water requirements. To supply to water-scarce areas in the city, 68 water tankers with filling stations at ground level reservoirs are expected to be kept ready. The public has been asked to contact either service stations officials or the BWSSB’s 24X7 helpline when required.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from March 6-12. Also, read the news this week.